Effects of exogenous ascorbic acid on seed germination and seedling salt-tolerance of alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important legume crop for forage, agriculture, and environment in the world. Ascorbic acid (AsA) plays positive roles in plants. However, its effects on germination and salt-tolerance of alfalfa are unknown. The effects of AsA applications on seed germination and seedling salt-tolerance of alfalfa were investigated. The results revealed that 0.1 and 1 mmol L-1 of exogenous AsA increased germination, amylase, and protease, as well as seedling length, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), and endogenous AsA both in the shoots and roots, except that 1 mmol L-1 AsA reduced the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase and protease on day 3. However, 10 and 100 mmol L-1 AsA inhibited these parameters and even caused serious rot. It indicates that 0.1 mmol L-1 AsA has the optimal effects, whereas 100 mmol L-1 AsA has the worst impacts. Another part of the results showed that 0.1 mmol L-1 AsA not only enhanced stem elongation, FW and DW, but also increased chlorophyll and carotenoids both under non-stress and 150 mmol L-1 NaCl stress. Furthermore, 0.1 mmol L-1 AsA mitigated the damages of membrane permeability, malondialdehyde, and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ions both in the shoots and roots under 150 mmol L-1 NaCl stress. Hence, 0.1 mmol L-1 AsA improves growth and induces salt-tolerance by inhibiting excessive ROS, down-regulating the ion toxicity and up-regulating the antioxidant system. The principal component analysis included two main components both in the shoots and roots, and it explained the results well. In summary, the optimum concentration of 0.1 mmol L-1 AsA can be implemented to improve the seed germination and seedling growth of alfalfa under salt stress.

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The efficacy of different seed priming agents for promoting sorghum germination under salt stress

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0245505 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0245505

Author(s):

Xiaofei Chen ◽

Ruidong Zhang ◽

Yifan Xing ◽

Bing Jiang ◽

Bang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Seed Germination ◽

Germination Rate ◽

Principal Component ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Seed Priming ◽

Nacl Stress ◽

Future Research ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Positive Effects

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] seed germination is sensitive to salinity, and seed priming is an effective method for alleviating the negative effects of salt stress on seed germination. However, few studies have compared the effects of different priming agents on sorghum germination under salt stress. In this study, we quantified the effects of priming with distilled water (HP), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) on sorghum seed germination under 150 mM NaCl stress. The germination potential, germination rate, germination index, vigor index, root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight were significantly reduced by salt stress. Different priming treatments alleviated the germination inhibition caused by salt stress to varying degrees, and 50 mM CaCl2 was the most effective treatment. In addition, the mitigation effect of priming was stronger on root traits than on shoot traits. Mitigation efficacy was closely related to both the type of agent and the concentration of the solution. Principal component analysis showed that all concentrations of CaCl2 had higher scores and were clearly distinguished from other treatments based on their positive effects on all germination traits. The effects of the other agents varied with concentration. The priming treatments were divided into three categories based on their priming efficacy, and the 50, 100, and 150 mM CaCl2 treatments were placed in the first category. The 150 mM KCl, 10% PEG, HP, 150 mM NaCl, 30% PEG, and 50 mM KCl treatments were placed in the second category, and the 100 mM NaCl, 100 mM KCl, 20% PEG, and 50 mM NaCl treatments were least effective and were placed in the third category. Choosing appropriate priming agents and methods for future research and applications can ensure that crop seeds germinate healthily under saline conditions.

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IMPACT OF FERTILIZERS APPLICATION ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF VIGNA RADIATA

FLORA AND FAUNA ◽

10.33451/florafauna.v24i2pp323-329 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

Author(s):

SUPRIYA DIXIT ◽

R. K. GUPTA

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Leaf Area ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Vigna Radiata ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Research Field ◽

Chemical Fertilizer ◽

Seedling Length

Currently, a real challenge for the workers in the agricultural research field is to stop or reduce the use of expensive agrochemicals/ chemical fertilizers which are hazardous to the environment as well as human health. Present study was aimed to improve the growth and obtain optimum yield of Vigna crop with eco-friendly, non-toxic way and to reduce the use of agrochemical/chemical fertilizer application in agricultural activities. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of chemical fertilizer (DAP) and biofertilizer ( Rhizobium strain) separately and in combination on seed germination and seedling growth (at 30 days) based on morphological parameters such as seedling length (cm), fresh weight (g), dry weight (g) and leaf area (cm)2 of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek. After one month (30 Days) observations, it was found that seedling length, fresh and dry weights and leaf area were maximum in T4 and minimum in T15, T7 and T8 favored improved seedling length and leaf area whereas T7, T8, and T9 favored improved fresh and dry weights as compared to control.

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Nutritional Characteristics and Seed Germination Improvement of the Forage Shrub Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss

Contemporary Agriculture ◽

10.2478/contagri-2020-0008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 69 (3-4) ◽

pp. 53-60

Author(s):

Abdenour Kheloufi ◽

Lahouaria Mounia Mansouri ◽

Mohamed Djelilate ◽

Mourad Touka ◽

Abdallah Chater ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Sulphuric Acid ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Seedling Emergence ◽

Principal Component ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Retama Sphaerocarpa ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Germination Ability

SummaryRetama sphaerocarpa shrubs form populations that can be an important forage resource during the dry season when pasture shortages are common in certain arid and semi-arid Mediterranean basin regions. The leaves of R. sphaerocarpa were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents. Leaves were also analyzed for the concentration of macro- (P, K, Ca and Mg) and microelements (Mn, Zn, Fe, and Na). According to the contents of CP, NDF, ADF and ADL in the leaves examined, this species could strike an appropriate balance between available feed ingredients for daily nutritional needs of animals. The contents of Ca, K, Na, P, Fe, Mg, and Zn in Retama sphaerocarpa shrubs were found to be high, compared to a number of other forage shrub species. Conversely, the rate of natural regeneration of this shrub in situ was estimated at 2-5%. R. sphaerocarpa seeds are affected by seed coat dormancy that prevents seed germination under natural conditions. The seed germination was assessed at a laboratory after the chemical scarification of seeds by concentrated sulphuric acid in the duration range of 0 min and 240 min. The principal component analysis of data related to the germination ability and seedling emergence showed that the best pretreatment was 120 min immersion in sulphuric acid at 25°C (± 2°C), resulting in 86% of the final germination percentage (FGP) and 14.6 cm of the seedling length (SL). According to the results obtained, this species could be considered a ruminant feed of great nutritive value when drought decreases grazing herbaceous biomass yields. These results should encourage farmers and foresters to integrate R. sphaerocarpa into their planting programs.

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Salicylic acid and its method of application affect germination and vigor in bell pepper seedlings under salt stress

Colloquium Agrariae ◽

10.5747/ca.2020.v16.n6.a412 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 101-110

Author(s):

Sebastião de Oliveira Maia Júnior ◽

Jailma Ribeiro de Andrade ◽

Ronaldo do Nascimento ◽

Robson Felipe de Lima ◽

Elka Costa Santos Nascimento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salicylic Acid ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nacl Stress ◽

Bell Pepper ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Relative Water ◽

Potential Benefits ◽

Total Dry Weight ◽

Germination And Growth

This study investigated the effect of two salicylic acid application methods (seed immersion and wetting) on the germination and growth characteristics ofcv. All Big bell pepper seedlings exposed to 0 or 100 mM of NaCl.The experimentwas conducted in aBiochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)incubator, using a completely randomized designwith eight treatments (immersionin salicylic acid or distilled water and wettingwith salicylic acid or water, in conjunction with 0 or 100 mMof NaCl) and four repetitions.The results indicated that under non-salineconditions, wetting with salicylic acid (SA) inhibited germination and seedling length, whereas NaCl stress reduced the germination, growth, total dry weight and vigor of seedlings.However, SA application, especially by wetting, mitigated the toxic effects of NaCl in bell pepper seedlings,improving relative water content and radicle length, as well as total length, dry weight and vigor.This study highlights the potential benefits of SA, particularly when applied via wetting, in attenuating phytotoxicity caused by NaCl stress and its effect on the germination, growth and vigor of bell pepper seedlings.

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Prediction of Sweet Corn Seed Germination Based on Hyperspectral Image Technology and Multivariate Data Regression

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s20174744 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (17) ◽

pp. 4744

Author(s):

Huawei Cui ◽

Zhishang Cheng ◽

Peng Li ◽

Aimin Miao

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Root Length ◽

Sweet Corn ◽

Hyperspectral Image ◽

Principal Component Regression ◽

Principal Component ◽

Hyperspectral Data ◽

Seed Vigor ◽

Seedling Length

Vigor identification in sweet corn seeds is important for seed germination, crop yield, and quality. In this study, hyperspectral image (HSI) technology integrated with germination tests was applied for feature association analysis and germination performance prediction of sweet corn seeds. In this study, 89 sweet corn seeds (73 for training and the other 16 for testing) were studied and hyperspectral imaging at the spectral range of 400–1000 nm was applied as a nondestructive and accurate technique to identify seed vigor. The root length and seedling length which represent the seed vigor were measured, and principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares (PLS), and kernel principal component regression (KPCR) were used to establish the regression relationship between the hyperspectral feature of seeds and the germination results. Specifically, the relevant characteristic band associated with seed vigor based on the highest correlation coefficient (HCC) was constructed for optimal wavelength selection. The hyperspectral data features were selected by genetic algorithm (GA), successive projections algorithm (SPA), and HCC. The results indicated that the hyperspectral data features obtained based on the HCC method have better prediction results on the seedling length and root length than SPA and GA. By comparing the regression results of KPCR, PCR, and PLS, it can be concluded that the hyperspectral method can predict the root length with a correlation coefficient of 0.7805. The prediction results of different feature selection and regression algorithms for the seedling length were up to 0.6074. The results indicated that, based on hyperspectral technology, the prediction of seedling root length was better than that of seed length.

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Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Vigour and Survival Traits of Barley Seedlings after Germinating under Salinity Stress

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11010103 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 103

Author(s):

Edward Mwando ◽

Tefera Tolera Angessa ◽

Yong Han ◽

Gaofeng Zhou ◽

Chengdao Li

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Salinity Stress ◽

Quantitative Trait ◽

Seedling Survival ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Nacl Stress ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Seedling Vigour ◽

Dh Population ◽

Barley Germplasm

Seed germination and seedling establishment are the most critical stages in the barley (Hordeum vulgare ssp. vulgare L.) life cycle that contribute substantially to grain yield. These two phases are exposed to several forms of environmental stresses such as salinity due to high level of salt accumulation in the soil rhizosphere where seed germination takes place and seedlings emerge from. Previously, we have reported genotypic variability and independent QTLs associated with salinity tolerance at seedling and germination stages. However, genotypic studies on revival of a seedling germinating under salinity stress are yet to close the lack of information between germination and seedling stages. Here, we attempt to close the genetic gap by targeting early seedling survival traits in barley after germination under salinity (NaCl) stress and the various seedling vigour indices. Seedling vigour parameters formed the basis for Quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage mapping in 103 Doubled Haploid (DH) lines of CM72/Gairdner population, and validated the phenotypic response using a selected diverse panel of 85 barley germplasm. The results indicate that 150 mM NaCl stress significantly reduced all the recorded phenotypic traits compared to 75, 90 and 120 mM NaCl. In both DH population and diversity panel barley germplasm, the highest percentage reduction was recorded in shoot length (65.6% and 50.3%) followed by seedling vigour index length (56.5% and 41.0%), while root length (28.6% and 15.8%) and root dry weight (29.3% and 28.0%) were least reduced when control was compared to150 mM NaCl stress treatment. Six QTLs containing 13 significant markers were detected in the DH population, 3 on chromosomes 1H, 8 on 3H and 2 on 4H with LOD values ranging from 3 to 8 associated with seedling survival traits under salinity stress. Three QTLs one on 1H and two on 3H with closely linked significant markers (Bmac0032, bPb-9418 and bPb-4741), (bPb-4576 and bPb-9624) and (bPb-3623, bPb-5666 and bPb-6383) for 1H and two on 3H respectively formed the regions with high possibility of candidate genes. A QTL on 3H flanked with markers bPb-4576 and bPb-9624 that were detected in more than one salinity survival trait and were closely linked to each other will form a basis for detailed studies leading to gene functional analysis, genetic transformation and marker assisted selection (MAS).

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Evaluation of allelopathic effect of Carthamus Oxyacantha against wheat and maize seed germination

Letters in Applied NanoBioScience ◽

10.33263/lianbs91.814818 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 814-818

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Allelopathic Effect ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Maize Seed ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Vigor Index ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Powder Extract

Effect of Carthamusoxyacantha powder aqueous extract on seed germination of Wheat and Maize were studied. Powder extract of 3g, 6g and 9g of concentration were soaked in distilled water for 12 Hrs, 24 Hrs and 36 Hrs of time. The seeds of Wheat and Maize were germinated in Petri dishes. Control was maintained by watering the seeds with distilled water. The highest values for germination percentage, shoot length, root length, fresh weight, dry weight, seedling length, vigor index and seedling weight vigor index were recorded in control of wheat the above parameter decreased with increasing concentration and timing. While in maize highest values for the above parameters were recorded in treatments as compared to control.

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Influence of physical seed treatment on seed quality improvement in black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Journal of Applied and Natural Science ◽

10.31018/jans.v8i1.744 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 46-49

Author(s):

R. Anbarasan ◽

P. Srimathi

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Methyl Cellulose ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Ocimum Sanctum ◽

Carboxy Methyl Cellulose ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Leaf Powder ◽

Field Emergence ◽

Fruit Powder ◽

Carboxy Methyl

Pelleting is a physical pre-sowing seed management technique, in which seeds are enclosed with biopromotive substances to improve the field stand. To evaluate the efficacy of plant herbal powders for seed pelleting, studies were initiated with blackgram cv. ADT 3, in which seeds were pelleted with the leaf powders of noni (Morinda citrifolia) and basil (Ocimum sanctum) and fruit powder of gallnut (Terminalia chebula) @ 200 g kg-1 of seed using Carboxy methyl cellulose @ 200 ml per kilogram of seed as an adhesive. The results revealed that seeds pelleted with the leaf powders of either basil improved the seed germination by 6% and seedling vigour (23%), seedling length (9%) and seedling dry weight (5%). In raised bed nursery, the seeds pelleted with basil leaf powder @ 200 g kg-1 of seed recorded improved field emergence (7%) with higher chlorophyll index (30%) and nodule number (28%) highlighting the efficacy of the treatment. While, the seeds pelleted with gallnut fruit powder recorded lowest germination, vigour and field emergence which is significantly lesser than control. The delayed emergence, germination and vigour was due to the increase in hardiness of gallnut powder pelleted seed. Thus, the seeds treated with basil leaf powder @ 200 g kg-1 using carboxy methyl cellulose @ 200 ml per kilogram of seed as an adhesive, enhanced seed germination, vigour, seedling length and dry weight.

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Differences in the Seed Germination of Leymus chinensis (Poaceae) Ecotypes Reveal Distinct Strategies for Coping With Salinity Stress: A Common Garden Experiment

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.3389/fevo.2021.703287 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Meng-Yao Ma ◽

Hong-Yuan Ma ◽

Lei Wang ◽

Wen-Wen Qi ◽

Shao-Yang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seed Germination ◽

Salinity Stress ◽

Seedling Growth ◽

Common Garden ◽

Nacl Stress ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Leymus Chinensis ◽

Seedling Length ◽

Mean Germination Time ◽

Total Seed

Soil salinity is important abiotic stress affecting various ecosystems worldwide such as grassland. Distinct ecotypes often evolve within species by natural selection to facilitate adaptation to different types of environmental stress. Leymus chinensis is a perennial rhizomatous grass that is widely distributed in the eastern Eurasian steppe; it has two main ecotypes, namely, yellow-green (YG) and gray-green (GG), which differ in their strategy for coping with salinity stress. Few studies have examined the seed germination of the two ecotypes under salinity stress. In this study, the seed germination and seedling growth of two ecotypes of L. chinensis in response to different levels of salinity (NaCl) stress [0 (control), 20, 50, 100, and 200 mM] were examined. Then, ungerminated seeds were placed under normal conditions to evaluate seedling growth following exposure to salt stress (i.e., regermination). The germination percentage was significantly higher, and the mean germination time was significantly shorter in the GG ecotype than in the YG ecotype at all NaCl concentrations. As the salinity level increased, the radicle length of the two ecotypes decreased; however, GG had longer radicles and a higher number of radicles, even at 200 mM NaCl when no radicle protruding from the seed coat was detected in YG. The shoot length of GG was significantly longer than that of YG at all NaCl levels. After salinity stress was removed, the seed germination percentage increased as the original concentration of NaCl applied increased, but the total germination percentage did not significantly differ among NaCl concentrations. The total seed germination percentage of GG was approximately 80%, whereas that of the YG was approximately 20%. The seedling length of regerminated seeds for both GG and YG was similar. The thousand-grain weight of GG was significantly higher than that of YG. GG was more salt-tolerant than YG and might be better capable of surviving in harsher environments, suggesting that GG might be particularly useful for saline grassland restoration.

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Using Principal Component Analysis and RNA-Seq to Identify Candidate Genes That Control Salt Tolerance in Garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11040691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 691

Author(s):

Xiangjun Zhou ◽

Yanxia Dou ◽

Xiaoxia Huang ◽

Gang Li ◽

Hongrui Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Salt Tolerance ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Principal Component ◽

Dry Weight ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Salt Tolerant ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Shoot Dry Weight ◽

Leaves And Roots

To examine physiological responses of garlic to salinity, 17-day-old seedlings of eight soft-neck accessions were treated with 200 mM NaCl for seven days in a hydroponic system. Several morphological and physiological traits were measured at the end of the treatment, including shoot height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, photosynthesis rate, and concentrations of Na+ and K+ in leaves. The principal component analysis showed that shoot dry weight and K+/Na+ ratio contribute the most to salt tolerance among the garlic accessions. As a result, salt-tolerant and sensitive accessions were grouped based on these two parameters. Furthermore, to investigate the molecular mechanisms in garlic in response to salinity, the transcriptomes of leaves and roots between salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive garlic accessions were compared. Approximately 1.5 billion read pairs were obtained from 24 libraries generated from the leaves and roots of the salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive garlic accessions. A total of 47,509 genes were identified by mapping the cleaned reads to the garlic reference genome. Statistical analysis indicated that 1282 and 1068 genes were upregulated solely in the tolerant leaves and roots, whereas 1505 and 1203 genes were downregulated exclusively in the tolerant leaves and roots after NaCl treatment, respectively. Functional categorization of these genes revealed their involvement in a variety of biological processes. Several genes important for carotenoid biosynthesis, auxin signaling, and K+ transport were strongly altered in roots by NaCl treatment and could be candidate genes for garlic salt tolerance improvement.

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